Punch core orienter for wells



June 10, 1952 M. L. NATLAND ETAL PUNCH CORE ORIENTER FOR WELLS 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Dec. 15, 194s nroQA/Es/S June 10 1952 M. NATLAND ETAL PUNCH CORE ORIENTER FOR WELLS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 13. 1948 aannam@ ,wm/LEV L. Man/:N0 Pm E. PEneso/v INVENToRs BY Y nrrae/vEs/s Patented June 10, 1952 2,600,125 Y y PUNCH CORE omEN'rER Fon WELLS Manley Leonard Natland, Rolling Hills, and Raymond E. Pearson, Compton, Calif., assignors to Y Richfield Oil Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a

corporation of Delaware Application December 13, 1948, Serial No. 65,024

9 Claims. (Cl. Z55-1.4)

The invention relates to apparatus for taking cores from wells and is particularly directed to improvements in punch core apparatus to provide means for orienting the core.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved punch core apparatus which is insertable and retractable through a drill string and without requiring that the drill string be removed from the well bore.

Another object is to provide a nonrotary core barrel device having means for determining the orientation of the core.

Another object is to provide a device of this type for use in slant holes and employing a ball which rolls to the low side of an annulus for subsequent impression into a soft washer to indicate orientation of the core.

A further object is to provide a punch core orienter for use in substantially vertical holes and provided with an inclinometer for indicating the azimuth and inclination of the punch core device in operative position.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a, longitudinal sectional elevation showing a retractable core barrel latched in position at the lower end of a drill string which extends into a well bore.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale showing the lower end of a preferred form of punch core barrel device embodying our invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 3-3 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified form of our invention.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a further modification of the lower end of the punch core barrel.

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 6-6 as shown in Figure 4.

Conventional coring devices commonly employ a core bit with a hollow center which cuts away an annular ring into the formation, leaving the center of the hole uncut and forming a projection which extends upwardly into a core barrel extending downwardly into the hollow bit. When the desired length of core has been received within the core barrel, the core barrel, together with the formation sample or core, is withdrawn to the surface. The core barrel may be withdrawn on a wire line through the interior of the drill string or the drill string itself may be withdrawn section by section to bring the core barrel to the surface. In either event, a problem of orenting the core arises in orderl to determine the azimuth of the dip of the well formation. The present invention relates to punch Acore apparatus in which the core barrel is provided with a cutting head and is moved longitudinally into the formation without rotary motion. A device is provided on the retractable assembly which furnishes a record of the inclination of the device at the time of taking the core from the formation. The retractable device then is withdrawn from its position at the lower end of the drill string and is lifted through the interior of the drill string to the surface. The angular position of the core within the core barrel is then noted andthe record of the inclination of the device as furnished by the inclinometer is inspected. From this information the orientation of the core with respect to the formation can readily be determined.

In bore holes where the angle of inclination has not been independently determined by surveys, we prefer to mount a single shot survey instrument within the retractable device. This single shot instrument may be of conventional form and need not be described in Vdetail herein. It functions to provide a measure ofthe inclination and azimuth of the retractable device at the -time the punch core is taken.

Where the azimuth and angle of inclination of the well bore are known from surveys, and where the angle of inclination of the bore hole varies from the vertical by more than three degrees approximately, we prefer to utilize a relatively simple type of indicator instead of a single shot survey instrument. This indicator provides a record of the low side of the retractable device so that by correlation with the known inclination and direction of the bore hole the orientation of the core may be determined.

Referring more particularly to the detailed construction of the embodiments of our invention as shown in the drawings, the bore hole I0 receives the drill string generally designated II which may be composed of a plurality of sections I2 threaded end to end. The lowermost section or sections commonly has a heavier wall thickness and is known in the art as a drill collar I3. A bit I4 is connected to the lower end of the drill collar, and as shown in Figure 1 this bit may be provided with an axial opening I5 through which the retractable core barrel assembly I6 may extend. The assembly I6 includes a shell II secured to the lower end of a connection fitting I8. This connection fitting is in turn carried by the lower end of a tubular support I9. A body 20 carried within the shell I1 extends downwardly therefrom to enclose the core-receiving tube 2|. This tube may be longitudinally split on one side from end to end if desired in order to facilitate extraction of the core. A cylindrical cutter 22 having a sharpened lower end 23 is secured in place on the lower extension 24 of the body 2i) by means of the securing nut 25. A frangible pin 26 extends through aligned openings provided in the body 20 and sleeve I1, and in this position the annular shoulder 21 on the body rests on the cooperating annular shoulder 28 on the sleeve. The cylindrical surfaces 23 and 30 on the body are received inasliding engagement within the cylindrical bores 3| and 32 respectively within the sleeve i1.

AI soft annular ring 33 which may be formed of aluminum or other soft material is mounted on the upper end of the body 20 and keyed thereto by means of a pin 34. The ring 33 may be held in place by means ofthe retaining nut 35 threaded on the upper end of the body. A spherical element 36 which may comprise a steel ball rolls on the ring 33 within the annulus 31 defined between the retaining nut 35 and the bore 3| of the shell l1. When the weight of the drill string I| is applied to the retractable assembly I6 the cutter 22 is forced into the formation so that a core is driven upwardly into the core-receivingtube 2|. The force on theV cutter shears the frangible pin 26 and allows the body 20 to move upwardly within the shell i1. The annular abutment 38 on the lower end of the connection fitting I8 then drives the steel ball 36 into the relatively soft annular ring 33. Since the ball rolls to the low side of the annulus 31, the impression made by the ball in the ring 33 forms a record of the direction of inclination at the time the core was taken. After the -ball 36 has been driven into the soft ring 33V the cooperating surfaces 39 on the members 35 and I8 meet in metal-to-metal relationship so that the load applied to the cutter 22 is carried principally on these cooperating surfaces and not by the ball 36.

The upper end of the tubular support is carried on the latch body 40. This latch body 40 forms a part of a latch assembly generally designated 4| which may takeany conventional form. As shown in the drawings, a latching lug 42 is pivotally carried on the latch body at 43 and is adapted to extend under a shoulder 44 fixed relative to the drill string II. A pull bar 45 is slidably mounted relative to the latch body 40 and carries a cross-pin 46 operable in an angularly disposed slot 41 provided in the latching lug 42. When the knob 48 on the upper end` of the pull bar 45 is engaged by the overshot 49 and lifted vertically, the pull -bar 45 moves upwardly relative to the latch body 46, causing the cross-pin 46 acting in the slot 41 to retract the latching lug 42 so that it no longer underlies the stationary shoulder 44. Continued upward movement of the overshot 49 serves to retract the entire device I6 through the drill string I The overshot 49 may be carried on the end of a wire line operated in a conventional manner.

The form of the invention just described and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is useful in connection with bore holes which are more than 3 approximately off the vertical. In such holes there is sufficient angularity to cause the steel ball 36 to roll to the low side of the annulus 31 and hence provide an accurate record of the low side of the device when the ball is impressed into the soft washer 33. For holes having less angularity, that is, for holes more nearly vertical; the ball cannot be relied upon to give accurate results. In slant holes, however, which have been previously surveyed to determine orienta-V tion of the bore hole this relatively simple device affords an accurate means of orienting the core in order to determine the direction of dip of the formation. The pin 34 serves to key the soft annular washer 33 relative to the body 2|! and the pin 59 on the body enters the slot 5| on the core tube 2| to align the core tube with the body 20. A short marker pin 52 may be provided on the cutter 22 adjacent the sharpened lip 23 so that a scratch mark is formed on the core as it enters the cutter on its way into the core Aligned openings 53 are provided on the cutter `2 for reception of a pin 54. A pin 55 is passed through the aligned openings 56 in the shell l1 and body 26. Prior to insertion of the assembly |6 into the upper end of the drill string the pins 54 and 55 are aligned so that they lie in the same plane. rihe pins 54 and 55 are then withdrawn and the retractable core barrel assembly is ready for use.

It will be understood that Aduring normal drilling operations a small center bit (not shown) is inserted into the main bit I4 and latched in position so that the full area of the bottom of the bore hole is acted upon. This center bit isretracted prior to installation of the assembly I6.

In that form of our invention shown in Figures 4 and 6 the shell 10 is connected to the body 1| by means of the frangible pin 12. The body 1| is threaded at its lower end to connect to a 'central housing 13. This housing encloses a` conventional single shot surveying instrument generally designated 14. This instrument 14 is preferably shock mounted between cushions 15 and 16. A wedge-shaped key element 11 extends downwardly from the instrument into aporrespondingly shaped recess 18 provided in the upper end of the tubular member 19 which` forms a lower extension of the housing 13. A core tube support 8| is attached to the lower end of the member 19. Conventional spring guides 83 may be provided if desired on the outer surface of the core tube support 8|. 'lhe` core tube 84 is mounted within the support 8| and held against rotation by the cooperative engagement of the pin 85 with the slot 36. The cutting head'l is connected to the support 8|V by means of the threaded joint B8 and serves` to maintain the core tube 84 in position. The pins Blland 82 may be inserted into transverse openings provided in the tubular member 19v and cutting head 81 respectively and aligned so. that they lie in the same plane. These pinsA 8).k and 32 are Iwith-- drawn prior to insertion of. the 4device into the drill string.

In operation the retractable core barrel assembly as shown in Figure4 is latched into position at the lower end of the drill 'string by means of any suitableA latch means such as, for example, as shown in Figure 1; The sleeve 10 and each of the partspositioned therebelow,.with the exception of the cutting head 81, are preferably formed of nonmagnetic material in order that magnetic directionv indicating mechanism contained within the unit 14 may4 operate satisfactorily. Y Furthermore, theV sleeve 10 projects downwardly through the openingy in the bit on the lower end ofY the drill string so that the single shot instrument 14v isk positionedl V,below the steel parts of the drill string Ii.A With the device latched in position thev drill string is low-'- ered to bring the cutting head 87 into contact with the bottom of the well bore. The weight of the drill string fractures the frangible pin 12, permitting the body to move upwardly within the sleeve 'I0 until it strikes the shoulder 89. The weight of the drill string then forces the pointed end 90 of the cutting head 8l into the formation so that a core is received in the core tube 84. The assembly is unlatched from the drill string and withdrawn on a wireline as described in connection with the previous modication. The core is marked by means of the pin 9|, and since the angular relationship between the pin 9| and the single shot instrument 14 is known the orientation of the core may be readily determined. While the single shot instrument 74 may take any conventional form, we prefer to employ a device of this type which may be set to operate at a predetermined time. In order to be sure that the instrument has operated to provide a record of the inclination and Ydirection of the retrievable assembly, it is only necessary to allow the required time interval to elapse before withdrawing the assembly from the drill string.

In Figure 5 we have shown a modied form of cutting head assembly. The cutting head is threaded to a collar 0|. A retaining nut |02 engages the abutment |03 on the lower end of the collar and serves to clamp the collar |0| against the lower end of the core tube support |04. When it is desired to align the bar |05 with the pin 80 the retaining nut |02 is turned in an unthreading direction through a small angle to relax the clamping eiect on the collar |0| and thereby permit the cutter |00 and its marking to be properly oriented. The bar |05 is held in alignment with the pin 80 while the nut |02 is retightened. This insures that the marking pin is correctly oriented with respect to the single shot instrument 14.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. In a device insertable through a drill string for taking a punch core from a well bore and for indicating orientation of the core, the combinationof a retrievable core barrel assembly adapted to be lowered from the surface through the drill string; means for latching the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string at a location adjacent its lower end; a portion of said assembly in latched position projecting below the lower end of the drill string means carried on said projecting portion of the retrievable core barrel assembly for providing a record of the direction and inclination of the core barrel assembly in latched position; a tubular member on the core barrel assembly positioned below said means so that a punch core may be taken by the member upon lowering of the drill string; and means for withdrawing the core barrel assembly and core upwardly through the drill string.

2. In a device insertable through a drill string for taking a punch core from a well bore and for indicating orientation of the core, the combination of a retrievable core barrel assembly adapted to be lowered from the surface through the drill string; means for latching the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string at a location adjacent its lower end; means carried on the retrievable core barrel assembly for providing a record of the direction of inclination of the core barrel assembly in latched position, said means including a gravity responsive member adapted to be impressed into a relatively soft element; a tubular member on the core barrel assembly projecting for its full length below the lower end of -the drill string sol thatja punch Vcore may be taken by the memberl upon lowering of the drill string; and means for withdrawing the core barrel assembly and core upwardly through the drill string. j

3. In a device insertable through a drill string and bit for taking a punch core from a well bore and for indicating orientation of the core, the combination of a retrievable core barrel assembly adapted to be lowered from the surface through the drill string; means for latching the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string at a location adjacent the bit; a portion of the retrievable core `barrel assembly in latched position projecting below the lower end of the drill string; recording means carried onthe said projecting portion of the retrievable core barrel assembly for providing a record of the inclination of the core barrel assembly in latched position; and a core-receiving member on the core barrel assembly projecting for its full length below the lower end of the bit so that a punch core may be taken by the member upon" lowering of the drill string.

4. In a device insertable through a drill string and bit for taking a punch core from a well bore and for indicating orientation of the core, the combination of a retrievable core barrel assembly adapted to be lowered from the surface through theV drill string; means for latching the core barrel assembly relative to the drill ystring at a location adjacent the bit; a portion of the retrievable core barrel assembly in latched position projecting below the bit; recording means' carried on the said projecting portion of the retrievable. core barrel assembly for providing a record of .the inclination of the core Ibarrel assembly in latched position; a core-receiving member on the core barrel assembly projecting for its full length below the lower end of the bit so that a punch corevmay be taken bythe member upon lowering ofthe drill string; a marker element on saidmember adapted to mark the core as it enters said member; andmmeans to adjust the relative angular position of said marker element and said recording means.

5. In a device insertable through a drill string and bit for taking a punch core from a well bore and for indicating orientation of the core, the combination of a retrievable core barrel assembly adapted to be lowered from the surface through the drill string; means for latching the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string at a location adjacent the bit; recording means carried on the retrievable core barrel assembly for providing a record of the inclination of the core barrel assembly in latched position; the core barrel :assembly including a shell slidably received within the bit and a body slidably mounted within the shell; axially spaced shoulders on the shell and body; a frangible pin connecting the shell and body; and a core-receiving member on the body extending for its full length below the bit so that a punch core may be taken by the member upon lowering of the drill string to shear said pin and bring said shoulders into engagement.

6. In a device insertable through a drill string and bit for taking a punch core from a Well bore and for indicating orientation oi' the core, the

and leningl saidshcnnders into engagement.

7. "Illia device Yills'll'fible Athlvllgh a drillY String vand 'bit ffo'r taking :apunch core "from 'a wen bore and for indicating 'rientati'on 'of 'the `core, 'the combination of fa r'etrievable *core `barrel `assein'- bly adapted to be` lowered 'frm Athe 'surface through the drill string; means `-for latching the core barrel Yassembly relative to the drill string at a location adjacent the bit; A"the Icore barrel assembly including a shell AYs'lielabl'y 'received within 'the 'bit and `a` body slidably fmounted Within the shell; recrdng means ffor providing Ya -record of the 'inclination of 'the core b arrel kassembly in flatclied 'position `Y said recording means including a 'gravity "responsive yine'nilcier "i land v'a `relatively 'soit 'elementfboth operatively interposed 'between thesliell :and body; "axially spaced sliould'ers on "the sliell Yandfbo'dy; a rangible 15in connecting :the shell andbody; and

a core-renewing' member Vion the body extending for its full'lngth below ltli'ebit sti-"that lojvvering of the drillstring shears *the-pin, imbeds v'the gravity responsive' member in Vvtl'le relatively `soft 'element and brings fthe Smulders imo engagement. y l

a. V'In fa dvieejinsrtatle and 'retractable through a nu strigffqr takinga punta core non of the tore. 'the l'cmbimrnen jof afetnevable core' barrel sistemas-adapted to 'be-itwfeo ered/from the-surface through tlie'drill string: in 'eans :for latching 'the `'cre Abarrel assembly relative "to the drill string 'at a location `near its lower end; 'Ia portion o'f said retrevable core barrelasseinbly in latchedposition projecting belowthelower end of the drill string; "means carried on :said projecting -'portic'anof the'retrievable corebarrel vassembly for providing a record 'ofthe inclination of tlie 'core barrel assembly Ain l'latched fp'osition; Aa core-receiving member -on A'theeore lbarrel assembly 4projecting for its full ln'gthibelw tlie lower endof'the drill string and l'adaptedto 'takeI a Fpunc'h'core upon lowering Tof the drill string; fan'd'means for unlatching and withdrawing the core barrel assembly and'core upwardly th'rugh 'the `drill string.

'9.7Ina device fortaking a fpunc'h core from a well'bore and `-for' indicatingV orientation f of the core, the combination'of 'a `drill string having 'a Ibit at its lower end; `a retrievable c'ore 'barrel assembly 4adapted vto be lowered from the 'sur- -face :through 'the drill string; neans for latch- `in'g'tl'iecorebarrel assembly relative to the drill string at a location vadjacent `the bit; a portion Aof saidcorebarrelassernbly in'la'tched position `projecting 'belowthe bit; means carried on said projecting portion of the core barrel assembly for 'providing a "record of the'inclinati'nofthe core barrel lassembly in -latched '-position; a member on the cor'e b'arrel'assenibly 'projecting for its full length nbelow the'bit fs *that "a punch coremay be `taken by tlie member upon 'lowering of -rthe drill string; l"and means `for 'withdrawing 'the core barrel assembly vvand core upwardly through the drill string. y

MANLEY LEONARD NATLAND. mira/rotin: E. PEARSON REFERENCES -clfrnn The 'following rfefenes yare 'o'f recrd vin 'the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES lPA'rEN'rs Number Name 'Date 2,100,418 Welikanov Nov. 30, 1937 2;1973062 Sweetet al. ';f Apr. `16, 1940 2,203,730 `Johnson -June `11, 1940 2,489,566 -Engle Nov. v29, 1949 2,536,303 'Miller l `Jan.v2, 1951 

